MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO : Justice Minister Ali Sabry urged the Muslim community to accelerate its programmes for empowerment of women to enable them to come out with their hidden skills and talents.
The minister was addressing the delegates from all parts of the island at the 71st Annual Convention of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference held at the Auditorium of Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo on Saturday, November 20.
The opening ceremony was chaired by YMMA’s national president Saheed M Rismy.The annual report was adopted by its Secretary General Sabir Sawad, while the concluding remarks were made by its Treasurer, Ihsan Hameed. Director of Muslim Services of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, SLBC, N.J. Fathima Niroosiya graced the event at a special guest. Cader M Ali, chairman of the board of trustees of the YMMA was also present.
In appreciation of their services to the community, President of the Young Women’s Muslim Association, Fawaza Thaha and president of the Oddamawady Pradeshiya Sabha A.M.Naufer were presented with special plaques at the event.
Speaking further, Sabry said that women have to be given their rightful place in the society towards nation building. Citing examples from Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh, Sabry said that Bangladesh had created wonders under the leadership of its premier Sheikh Hasina,who had alleviated the poverty of more than 32 million people during a short period of time. He pointed out that 71 percent of the Muslim undergraduates are women, which means they are forging ahead of men and they deserve to be encouraged to reach their goals.
Lauding the services of the YMMA movement in Sri Lanka, he said that the organization is founded by none other than Dr. A.M.A.Azeez who had contributed a great deal in promoting education among Muslims. Late Dr. Azeez, he said, believed that peaceful coexistence coupled with education would make useful citizens in the society,who could help one another for the betterment of the country.
Continuous services for the past 71 years bears eloquent testimony to the dedication of the activists in the YMMA movement and told the youths to march forward and do their best to contribute towards a better Sri Lanka, where people could live in peace, with mutual understanding and prosperity.
Ashroff Rumy, editor of Shuban bulletin, an organ of the YMMA Conference presented the first copy to the minister following his speech. The minister also distributed awards to the best performers of various projects of the YMMA carried out through its 150 branches throughout the island.
